How to Analyze Chess Games: A Step-by-Step Guide

To analyze a chess game, begin with a manual analysis: play the game without an engine, record notes on what you were thinking, and indicate your key moments. Then carry out a light engine check to test/verify your thoughts. Transform the 2-3 mistakes into actual training activities next week. Particularly note the fundamentals of opening, pawn formation, plans of the middle game, and technique of the endgame, these are the phases that generate the greatest returns.

1) Manual analysis (right after the game)

Write down your thoughts and plans, then replay the moves without an engine. Ask yourself: What was I calculating? What alternatives did I consider? Where did I feel unsure? Mark the exact “critical moments”.

2) Engine analysis (later, when fresh)

Check your notes by a small engine pass (MultiPV on, moderate depth). Explain the reason why the choice of the computer is better than yours. Compare the important positions with strong-player games or a database to view typical plans.

3) Deepen understanding (by phase)

Opening: did you follow principles (center, development, king safety)?
Middlegame: did you have a clear plan and evaluate weaknesses correctly?
Endgame: do your technique and concepts (opposition, activity, passed pawns) match the position’s demands?
Finally, adapt your training to the patterns you found.

Introduction

You are in the right place when you ever played a game and wondered at the end of the game what has just happened? This approachable, useful practice demonstrates how to analyze chess games without being confused by engine lines. You will learn how to analyze a chess game on your own (so that you learn it), and only then introduce a computer.

Whether you’re 800 or 1800, this is chess analysis for beginners done right—and it scales as you improve. Along the way we’ll use PGN/FEN hooks, simple checklists, and a few tools so you can analyze chess game positions like a pro.

Why Analyzing Your Chess Games Is Important

No faster way of turning chaos into clarity is a post-game reflection. When you write down what you think, and only after that insert the engine, you will know how to miss a move, and how to take it next time. That is the essence of how to analyze your chess games and build confidence.

It is also a strategy that provides you with a repeatable chess game review session that helps in your measurable chess strategies improvement—you will notice which themes (time trouble, missed tactics, weak squares) are most prevalent, and then works on them during training. Want an easy win? Keep a small notebook next to the board to make the habit. In the case of gear, please refer to our Chess Accessories (scorebooks, pens) and Chess Clocks.

Step-by-Step Process to Analyze Chess Games

A good routine is two passes, the first one being a brief self-review at the time of game freshness and the second one being a deeper one later. The following is the structure that I would recommend.

Step 1 — Rebuild the game without an engine (5–15 min)

Record your actual thoughts and replay the game before any computer. This keeps the reason “why” you made every decision and points out gaps that you will close in future. Mark important moments (moves that you have spent time on, felt uncertain, or evaluation went the wrong way). Save a FEN for each one.

Prompts to write: “What I calculated…”, “What I missed…”, “What scared me…”, “My plan was…”.

PGN block start:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 3...a6 1/2-1/2

FEN example (critical moment):
r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2n2n2/1B1pp3/3P4/2P2N2/PP1N1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 10

Step 2 — Opening sanity check (5–10 min)

Then find out where you faltered in your preparation and where the first principle failed: center control, development, or king safety. Record down one adjustment to your repertoire (After 6...Bg4 I will prepare h3 and Qe2 next time). You can review on Chess.com, and the Game Review/Analysis flow will allow you to see the opening tab and move tags, and even turn off the auto best move to think first.

Step 3 — Middlegame: critical moments & pawn structure

Now magnify the turning points: piece activity, weak squares, pawn breaks that you overlooked, or trades where you made inaccurate judgments. Ask one question at a time: Ask one question at a time: What is the best plan bishops vs trade? This can be used to analyze chess moves further in the future.

Step 4 — Endgame snapshots (tablebase truth for simple endings)

A check at the end game even pays off in the short term. Redundancies (R+P vs R, minor-piece races, opposite bishops) and the truth (with 7-piece Syzygy tablebases where available) should be checked by Save FENs. They give ideal play with ≤7 pieces—great to test your intuition.

Step 5 — Light engine pass (15–25 min)

Only after your notes. Switch MultiPV (e.g. 3 lines) on at a medium depth such that you do not see one arrow. Stockfish 17.1 is modern and open-source; it can be used locally or through online applications. Game Review on Chess.com supports showing the best move, and Analysis Board and Studies on Lichess. Study the technique of how to read chess analysis by concentrating on concepts: important squares, tactical patterns, vulnerable structure--not the best move.

Step 6 — Extract lessons → next week’s plan

End by transforming each of your key errors into a single-line habit or exercise. Examples: “Missed opponent counterplay → scan checks/captures/ threat always after a candidate move. Include 10-15 themed puzzles or mini-repertoire fixes based on the mistake you have made. Analyzing OTB, a comfortable Chess Board, visible Chess Pieces, or a complete Chess Set come in handy.

Key Elements to Focus On During Analysis

It is always a good idea to have in mind what you are measuring and why before going down a checklist. The following are the items that become the movers of your rating.

Tools to Help You Analyze Chess Games

The choices are numerous, but some of the reliable and well-documented options that address most of the needs are listed below.

Chess.com Game Review / Analysis. There is convenient flow of the game after it ends, move classes, opening tab and the ability to hide “best move” until you are ready. Mobile and web fast feedback.

Lichess Analysis & Studies. 100% free analysis board, powerful Studies to store your notes, arrows, chapters and share with a coach or friends.

Stockfish 17.1. The open-source engine of the world which can be run on your computer (select your GUI). Moderate depth and MultiPV should be used to sustain learning and not merely copying one line.

Bonus: Simple endgames? Verify with Syzygy tablebases for perfect answers.

Common Mistakes When Analyzing Chess Games

You are going to list pitfalls, but before you do, keep in mind: you are going to make your process better, not only your moves. Avoid these fast:

• You would learn less and forget what you think, so first switch on the engine.
  
  

• Gathering variations and nothing decided upon—always one training action to the mistake.
  
  

• Neglecting the use of time and psychology—see where you were in a hurry or panicked.
  
  

• Skipping endgames—tablebase checks in simple positions build clean intuition.
  
  

Practical Tips to Improve Through Analysis

Regularity is a better substitute than marathon. Conduct a brief 10-20 minutes self-assessment immediately after the game followed by a thorough 45-60 minutes pass the following day when you are rested. Maintain a weekly journal of “Mistake → Habit” and review it. In need of a structured reading and analysis, then you can try our in-house explainer on Algebraic Notation and a practical overview of Best Chess Strategies for pattern spotting.

FAQ

How do you analyze your own chess games?

Rebuild the moves without an engine, mark critical moments, then run a light engine pass to verify ideas and write one training habit per mistake. Save FENs for recurring motifs.

Should beginners use a chess engine for analysis?

Yes—but only after self-notes. Use MultiPV and hide auto best-move reveals so you learn how to read chess analysis (ideas first, arrows second).

What is the best way to analyze chess moves?

Ask yourself why your move did not work out, enumerate the other options and then confirm with Stockfish or an online analysis board. Make your notes clear and concise.

How long should I spend analyzing a chess game?

About 15 minutes for an immediate self-review, and 45–60 minutes for a deeper look when rested—especially after tournament games.

What tools do professional players use to analyze games?

An excellent local engine such as Stockfish, and online analysis storage and sharing tools such as Chess.com Game Review/Analysis and Lichess Studies.

Conclusion

You do not have to spend hours or even have a PhD in engines to get to learn through your games, you just need a simple loop that you will actually repeat. Begin today: analyze chess games with a short manual pass, light engine check, and a realistic plan next week. That’s it.